Michigan Libraries Secured Increased Funding in FY2027 Budget—Please Take Five Minutes to Thank Your Legislators!

On Tuesday, July 21, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Michigan’s FY2027 budget into law. Thanks to your outreach and advocacy, Michigan libraries secured several key funding wins: While many state departments and agencies saw budget reductions, State Aid to Libraries saw a one-time increase of $375,000.

• While MLA advocated for a $500,000 increase in Michigan’s only direct aid to public libraries and library cooperatives, your advocacy secured a partial, one-time increase in an otherwise tenuous budget climate.
• Likewise, the state budget includes a one-time $375,000 increase in state funding for the Michigan eLibrary (MeL), reflecting library advocates’ persistent efforts to highlight the importance of MeL and MeLCat. As a key advocacy priority this year, MLA advocated for an additional $900,000 in state support for MeL and MeLCat, identical to the one-time funding increase received in the prior fiscal year.
• $135 million for the Out of School Time grant program, which provides funding for K-12 after-school and summer programming. Public libraries are eligible applicants.
• $3 million in the Grow Your Own programs budget allocated for school librarian specialist certification grants. These grants help provide funding for individuals to receive a school librarian specialist endorsement from the Michigan Department of Education.

These outcomes reflect the power of our collective voice. Every letter, email, call, and conversation with an elected leader helped make this possible.

Now, please join us in expressing our gratitude! A quick thank-you can go a long way toward strengthening our relationship with legislators and building support for libraries in future budget cycles. Take five minutes today to reach out to Governor Whitmer and your local House Representative and State Senator to share appreciation for their support of Michigan libraries. You can find contact information for legislators through the links below.

Your advocacy makes a difference. By staying engaged, building relationships with policymakers, and speaking up for libraries, you help ensure Michigan libraries have a strong voice in the decisions that shape their future. Thank you for standing with libraries and for all you do to keep them strong and supported in communities across Michigan!

CONTACT GOVERNOR WHITMER

FIND YOUR MICHIGAN STATE SENATOR

FIND YOUR MICHIGAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE